National cartoonist Dave Granlund's blog features his take on politics and current events -- in cartoon form

The X Factor: Did CeCe Finally Go Home? Who Made It to the Semifinals?

About this blog

By Dave Granlund

National cartoonist Dave Granlund's blog features his take on politics and current events. Dave has been an editorial cartoonist published in daily newspapers since 1977. Born in Ware, Mass., Granlund began drawing cartoons in grade school and at
...

National cartoonist Dave Granlund's blog features his take on politics and current events. Dave has been an editorial cartoonist published in daily newspapers since 1977. Born in Ware, Mass., Granlund began drawing cartoons in grade school and at age 16, he was published on the editorial pages of local weekly newspapers. His eight-year enlistment in the USAF included assignments with SAC HQ and with Headquarters Command, where his duties included work as head illustrator for the Presidential Inaugural Subcommittee and providing briefing charts for the White House and support for Air Force One. As part of NATO in Operation Looking Glass with the Airborne Command Post, he was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal. Dave's newspaper honors include awards from UPI, New England Press Association, International Association of Business Communicators, The Associated Press and Massachusetts Press Association. His work has been nominated numerous times for the Pulitzer Prize. His pastimes and interests include history, wood carving, antique tractors and Swedish language studies.

Two more contestants were eliminated from The X Factor Thursday night, with four making it through to next week's semifinals. Did Tate Nation give Tate Stevens the votes he needed to reclaim the top spot from Carly Rose Sonenclar? Did CeCe Frey survive another week? And which acts had to go head-to-head to stay in the competition? Read on to find out.

The show dragged the suspense out as much as it could, featuring performances from last season's winner Melanie Amaro and a promo for Sony headphones before getting to the first elimination.

So, who was the first act given the boot? Somewhat unsurprisingly, Frey's luck finally ran out - despite the fact that judge Demi Lovato, donned matching leopard face paint in solidarity with her sole remaining contestant.

Fifth Harmony opted for Mariah Carey's "Anytime You Need a Friend" for their Save Me song and White, who found herself in the bottom two for the second week in a row, chose Lee Ann Womack's "I Hope You Dance" for hers. And then it was up to the judges to decide which one would go home.

Unsurprisingly, Fifth Harmony's mentor, Simon Cowell, and White's mentor, Britney Spears, each voted to eliminate the other's act. So Lovato and L.A. Reid had to make the final call. Reid voted to send White home, and Lovato voted ... also to send White home. This is the second time the 13-year-old has been eliminated, and she was even more gracious in her farewell than before.

So the semifinalists are set, in this order: at fourth place, Fifth Harmony; in third, Emblem 3; in second, Carly Rose Sonenclar; and overtaking Sonenclar to return to first place, Tate Stevens.

Which acts do you think will make it to the finals - and who should win the whole competition? Weigh in below!